2023-03318. Submission for OMB Review; Administration for Children and Families Program Instruction-Children's Justice Act (OMB #0970-0425)

AGENCY:

Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION:

Request for public comments.

SUMMARY:

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting a 3-year extension of the ACF Program Instruction—Children's Justice Act (Office of Management and Budget (OMB) #0970-0425, expiration 6/30/2023). There are no changes to the Program Instruction.

DATES:

Comments due within 30 days of publication. OMB must make a decision about the collection of information between 30 and 60 days after publication of this document in the Federal Register . Therefore, a comment is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function. You can also obtain copies of the proposed collection of information by emailing [e-mail]. Identify all emailed requests by the title of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description: The Program Instruction, prepared in response to the enactment of the Children's Justice Act, Title II of Public Law 111-320, Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Reauthorization of 2010, provides direction to the states and territories to accomplish the purposes of assisting states in developing, establishing, and operating programs designed to improve: (1) the assessment and investigation of suspected child abuse and neglect cases, including cases of suspected child sexual abuse and exploitation, in a manner that limits additional trauma to the child and the child's family; (2) the assessment and investigation of cases of suspected child abuse-related fatalities and suspected child neglect-related fatalities; (3) the investigation and prosecution of cases of child abuse and neglect, including child sexual abuse and exploitation; and (4) the assessment and investigation of cases involving children with disabilities or serious health-related problems who are suspected victims of child abuse or neglect. This Program Instruction contains information collection requirements that are found in Public Law 111-320 at sections 107(b) and 107(d), and pursuant to receiving a grant award. The information being collected is required by statute to be submitted pursuant to receiving a grant award. The information submitted will be used by the agency to ensure compliance with the statute; to monitor, evaluate, and measure grantee achievements in addressing the investigation and prosecution of child abuse and neglect; and to report to Congress.

Respondents: State governments.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument	Total number of respondents	Annual number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Annual burden hours
Application and Annual Report	52	1	60	3,120

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,120.

Authority:42 U.S.C. 5106c Sec. 107 (b)4; and 42 U.S.C. 5106 Sec. 107 (B)5.

John M. Sweet Jr.,

ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.